Netflix? Hulu? Prime? Let's Discuss the Great Streaming Debate

We investigated all your subscription options.

When it comes to watching your favorite movies and TV shows, there are tons of ways to get your fix. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime are great whether you're on a TV, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or even some gaming systems, and cost a fraction of what a cable bill would run you. The only problem is that it's hard to decide which one (or ones) to subscribe to! Luckily, we've done all the research so you don't have to. Read up, and watch to your heart's content.

Netflix, $7.99/month
Pros: Oh man, there are so many pluses here. For one, the original programming has really taken off (hello, Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards), and there's a BIG variety of content outside of that—the biggest out of any service, actually. Binging on entire TV series or movie genres is a piece of cake thanks to Netflix, and the company's set to add tons of new content this month. You can also share your account with up to five friends, which brings the price down to just over a dollar per month each, and you can cancel at any time.

Cons: While the selection is hands-down the best, Netflix is pretty slow to get new films (instead boasting excellent-but-older titles), and not every movie in their catalogue is available instantly, which can be a tease. On a related note, TV series aren't updated until seasons are complete. You also need to download the Netflix app for whatever device you watch it on, excluding your laptop.

The Bottom Line: Awesome if you like movies and/or have some not-in-real-time television catching up to do. But if you're trying to watch current shows, this might not be your best bet.

Hulu Plus, $7.99/month
Pros: You get to watch some of the most popular new shows pretty much right after they air—and you still get access to tons of previous seasons (anyone up for a 308-episode viewing of SNL? Anyone?).

Cons: The movies aren't great—lots of them are either foreign-and-not-in-a-cool-way or films that haven't seen a theater in years (if at all). Plus, there aren't many TV series available that aren't currently being aired. Another drawback? Commercials.

The Bottom Line: Perfect if you're concerned about keeping up with current TV shows; not much use if you're a movie buff.

Amazon Prime, $99/year
Pros: The price might look steep, but it works out to be only 25 cents more per month than Netflix and Hulu Plus—a small price to pay for the free two-day shipping that also comes with a Prime membership. (If you do most of your shopping on Amazon, it's well worth the cost!) As far as actual content goes, the film selection is good, and bound to get better: They recently announced they're going to get even more content beginning in May.

Cons: Like most other streaming services, new releases are slow to be added (The Bling Ring, for example, is under the "recently added" tab). There also aren't a whole lot of TV shows to choose from—Amazon has about half as many as Netflix, and many aren't particularly zeitgeist-y.

The Bottom Line: If you're going to be in heavy shopping mode (purchasing textbooks, buying things for a dorm or new apartment), the money you save on shipping will almost pay for itself. And even if you aren't, it's still a solid streaming service that should satisfy your movie cravings.

Redbox Instant, $7.99/month
Pros: In addition to streaming access, the membership includes four DVD rentals each month from any Redbox kiosk, which tend to have new releases pretty much as soon as they come out.

Cons: The streaming selection is about 1/3 the size of Netflix, there aren't any TV shows, and it's not as device-friendly as other services.

The Bottom Line: Skip out on the streaming subscription and go for pay-per-use DVDs for new releases at kiosks (unless you rent more than four a month!).

HBO Go, priced by cable provider
Pros: HBO Go has pretty much everything HBO's ever produced—and given their reputation for amazing original programming, they'll almost always have something you want to watch. They also upload new episodes in real time, so you won't have to wait to catch the new episode of Girls. In addition, they have have a fairly decent (if small) selection of recent-but-not-that-recent movies.

Cons: It's only available if you have HBO already! And as noted above, there are movies...just not a whole lot of them.

The Bottom Line: If you're not paying for HBO already, it's probably not a great investment. Checking to see if you can use your parents' account though? A+.